Goa with Varanasi - 14 Days / 13 Nights

Itinerary

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Day 14 Depart Goa

Day 1 Arrive Mumbai

Arrive Mumbai, India. After completing immigration and custom formalities you will be met by your guide who will escort you to a waiting vehicle for your transfer to the hotel.
From an obscure beginning as a set of seven small islands, Mumbai has risen to the eminent position of India's most important commercial and industrial center. Mumbai boasts a perfectly natural harbor crowned by the Gateway of India monument, built to commemorate King George V's visit in 1911.
Rest of the day at leisure.Included Meals: B

Day 2 Mumbai

Breakfast at the hotel. Later proceed for the sightseeing tour of Mumbai
The gateway was conceived, following the visit of King George V to India in 1911, and was officially opened in 1924. Its architecture is
akin to the conventional Arch of Triumph, with elements derived from Muslim styles of 16th century Gujarat.
Later visit, Prince of Whales museum. Continue your tour as you drive past a major landmark of this vibrant city the “VT or Victoria Terminus” now known as “Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus”, which was designed in Italian Gothic style by F. W. Stevens. The first train to steam out of Mumbai was from here to Thane in 1853.
Your next stop will be “Dhobhi Ghat”- a unique outdoor laundry located in Mahalaxmi area.Drive up to Malabar Hill to the lovely Hanging Gardens and the Kamla Nehru Park from where you will get a wonderful view of Mumbai and the Arabian Sea spread out before you. Stop at Mani Bhawan, a small museum dedicated to the life and works of Mahatma Gandhi and the bustling Crawford Market
Rest of the day at leisureIncluded Meals: B

Day 3 Mumbai / Udaipur (By Flight)

At approximately 11:00AM be ready in the lobby of the hotel in preparation for your overland transfer to Airport.
02:00 PM Depart Mumbai via Air India flight # 472 direct service to Udaipur. Total flying time: 1 hours, 25 minutes.
03:25 PM Arrive Udaipur. You will be met outside the baggage claim area by your local driver who will escort you to a waiting vehicle for your transfer to Trident Udaipur.
Udaipur is a cool oasis in the dry heart of Rajasthan. It is probably the most romantic city in a state where every city has some romantic or exotic tale to tell. Included Meals: B

Day 4 Udaipur

After early breakfast proceed of the sightseeing tour of Udaipur City.
Half day city tour of Udaipur, a splash of colour in Rajasthan that is brighter when tinged with the tones of local lore and legends. Visit the City Palace, built in 1725, which houses the Dilkhush Mahal, Sheesh Mahal - studded with glittering Belgium Mirrors, Moti Mahal and the Palace of Lord Krishna all of which are ornately decorated. Later visit the Jagdish Temple. This temple was built in 1651 is dedicated to Lord Vishnu, the preserver in the Hindu Trinity of Gods. Also visit the Sahelion Ki Bari gardens and fountains. Later drive around the Fatehsagar Lake.
Afternoon enjoy Boat cruise on mystical waters of Lake Pichola. (Subject to water level)Included Meals: B

Day 5 Udaipur / Jaipur

After early breakfast drive to Jaipur, the land of the Rajahs. The drive takes approximately 5 – 5 ½ hours.
(approximately 370 km)
Arrive Jaipur & transfer to hotel.Included Meals: B

Day 6 Jaipur

After breakfast proceed for sightseeing of Jaipur City which includes visit of Amber Fort with Elephant Ride, Jag Mandir or the Hall of Victory. En-route to Amber Fort, you will have a brief photography stop at Hawa Mahal - the Palace of Winds.
Later proceed for the sightseeing tour of City & Royal Observatory (Jantar Mantar)
Later visit Jaipur local Bazaar -Jaipur is a city of vibrant colors and markets (bazaars) of Jaipur verify this fact. Jaipur's colorful markets offer a great break to stop and shop on you tour. Usually tourists include shopping and visiting the lively markets of Jaipur in their itinerary. While moving through the markets, you will come across the vivacious culture of this region. Jaipur is the perfect place to shop for Handicrafts, antiques, jewelry, gems, pottery, carpets, textiles, metalwork and leatherwear.Included Meals: B

Day 7 Jaipur / Agra

After breakfast drive to Agra.
At the time of the Mughals, in the 16th & 17th centuries, Agra was the capital of the grand Mughal Empire. During this period the city became a leading centre of art, science, commerce and culture. Akbar the Great made Agra great. The city's origins are dim but Akbar's grandfather Babur is credited with Agra's founding. The short golden age of Agra came to an end with the seventeenth century reign of Shah Jehan, mastermind of the unforgettable Taj Mahal. (TAJ MAHAL CLOSED ON FRIDAYS) Included Meals: B

Day 8 Agra

This morning visit Taj Mahal. The Taj Mahal is one of the most extravagant monuments in the world, built by an emperor in the found memory of his queen. Construction of the Taj Mahal began in 1631, and is believed to have taken 18 years to complete, with over 20,000 craftsmen working around the clock. The design and construction is said to be that of the legendary architect, Ustad Ahamad Lahori. Legend has it that once construction was completed, Shah Jehan had Lahori's hands cut off, and blinded, so he would never be able to duplicate the structure. What makes the Taj Mahal unique is its perfect proportions, distinct femininity, medium of construction and ornamentation. Its marble exterior reflects rose and golden tints at sunrise and sunset, while it is dazzling white during the day. It is impossible to visualize the Taj Mahal in any surrounding other than in its paradoxical garden. Paradise, in Islam, is visualized as a lush garden where running streams flow.
When the Mughals brought this concept to India they elevated it to heights of incomparable artistry.
Later travel by Tongas (horse carriage) to the massive Agra Fort. It was built by the famed Mughal emperor Akbar in 1565 AD, the fort is predominantly of red sand stone. The vast halls echo the voices of a bygone era and transport the visitor back through the passage of time. Ensconced within is the picture perfect Pearl Mosque, which is a major tourist attraction. Rest of the day at leisure.Included Meals: B

Day 9 Agra / Delhi / Varanasi

At approximately 8:00 AM be ready in the lobby of Trident in preparation for your overland journey to Delhi. The Drive takes approximately 3 – 4 hours.
12:50 PM Depart Delhi via Indigo flight # 118 direct service to Varanasi. Total flying time: 1 hour, 25 minutes.
02:15 PM Arrive Varanasi. After collecting your luggage you will be met outside the baggage claim area by your local guide and escorted to a waiting vehicle for your transfer to hotel.
Varanasi is the religious capital of the Hindu faith since recorded time and is a microcosm of Indian life. When Buddha came here around 500 B.C. he encountered an ancient settlement. Contemporary with Babylon, Nineveh, and Varanasi is one of the oldest cities in the world, a hub of firmly rooted traditions. For all its variety of sacred spots, Varanasi is really one big shrine, the shrine of Shiva. This cult is one of the oldest forms of worship, and was practiced in the Indus Valley thousands of years ago.
Legend recounts how the Ganges was created. The water goddess Ganga was ordered to redeem the souls of some humans of great merit. But the fall of such a quantity of water would cause great damage to the world, so Shiva caught the goddess in his hair and let her seep out slowly to wash the ashes of the worthy mortals, and their souls ascended to heaven.
Varanasi, the City of Light has become a haven for the sick and the aged waiting out their final days. The smoke that billows from the crematoriums on the edge of the river gives testimony to their final release from life's earthly confines. On any given day, anywhere from a few dozen to a few hundred corpses are cremated here; the ghat is assiduous with activity as the cremated bodies threw up smoke and fire. The views of the city from the water are mysterious and magical.
This evening your guide will take you to the Ganges to see the aarti (loud recital of spiritual songs). Included Meals: B

Day 10 Varanasi

A dawn boat trip takes you along the bathing ghats on the holy river Ganges to witness 2,000-year old rites of prayer and devotion. The Ganges is the most sacred and venerated river in India. Beside the ritualistic aspect of Hinduism (thread ceremony, head shaving, food to departed souls, etc.) you can also see the bathing, laundry, and cremations of the dead that take place here on the banks of the river. Life and death go hand in hand in Varanasi. While young people seek prosperity and protection from harmful influences, the older generation comes to Varanasi to cleanse their souls in the forgiving waters in preparation for the ultimate dissolution. A ritual cleansing in the holy waters of the Ganges at Varanasi absolves the believer of all sins: it is the aspiration of every devout Hindu to die at Varanasi, thus ensuring a direct passage to heaven.
Return to the hotel for breakfast. Afterwards tour the city’s temples and Benaras Hindu Univeristy (Vishwanath Temple), the University’s museum contains a superb collection of Nicholas Roerich’s paintings of the Himalayas. Visit Gyanvapi Mosque and Dasashwarmedh Ghat.
Also visit the buried city of Sarnath where Buddha preached his first sermon, setting in motion the Wheel of Law. It is here that Buddha revealed his doctrine and founded his monastic community. Pilgrims travel from around the world to Sarnath and there are monasteries constructed by Buddhists from several countries including China, Burma, Tibet and Japan. Although only a few miles from Varanasi, Sarnath reflects tranquility far removed from the bustle of the city.
The museum at Sarnath is amongst the most important in India and contains carvings representing a whole range of styles - archaic, the Mathur School, Gupta, past Gupta and Medieval - covering work of sculptors from the 3rd century B.C. to the 12th century A.D.
This afternoon explore the inner city (old city of Varanasi) on foot. Through a twisted maze of small streets and narrow alleys, home to numerous shrines and pilgrim shops, you walk back a few centuries. Life here seems to have stood still for years. Domes, minarets, pinnacles and towers, and derelict eighteenth century palaces dominate the sacred left bank of the river. The homes, the shops and even the cattle have not changed over the centuries. You will see marriage processions and funeral processions and cows grabbing big flower necklaces destined for the gods. Your visit to this fascinating and spiritual city is a brilliant and nostalgic experience.Included Meals: B

Day 11 Varanasi/Goa

At approximately 09:15 AM be ready in the lobby of the hotel in preparation for your transfer to the airport.
11:20 AM Depart Varanasi via Air India flight # 696 . Total flying time: 02 hour , 15 minutes.
01:35 PM Arrive Mumbai. You will have a 1 hour, 40 minute layover and change of planes.
03:15 PM Depart Mumbai via Air India flight # 661 . Total flying time: 01 hour.
04:15 PM Arrive Goa. After collecting your luggage you will be met outside the baggage claim area by your local guide and escorted to a waiting vehicle for your transfer to hotel. Rest of the day at leisure.Included Meals: B

Day 12 Goa

Half day sightseeing of old Goa.
Saligao Church – Ancient Gothic Church of Goa.
This superlative church of interest to tourists is located in the neighbouring village of Saligao, touching to Porvorim village where Lulus Guest Corner (house) is situated. Constructed from the fragments of the convent of Mae de Deus (Mother of God) at Old Goa, and retaining a Gothic structure, the Mae De Deus church or Saligao Church is one of the oldest churches in North Goa. A soaring edifice all painted in pearly white, this church was built in 1873 as a shrine in true Greek architectural style. The exterior edifice looks spectacular with a gong in the centre at the top of the church, large jutting cones all around the building and a statue of the Mother of God in the centre. Inside the church you will find large wooden pews, low chandeliers and a central aisle which leads to the main altar. On the right hand side is the community centre which organizes events for the fun loving local people of Saligao.Included Meals: B

Day 13 Goa

Breakfast at the hotel.
Later full day free in Goa for Independent activities.Included Meals: B

Dates & Pricing

Travel Dates

Per Person Sharing Twin(from)

Single Room Supplement(from)

Local Fee

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Accommodations

Included

- Meeting & Assistance on arrival/departure at Airport and Hotel by Alluring India Destination's Representatives.
- Arrival, departure transfers, sightseeing & excursions using Air-conditioned Tempo Traveller.
- Accommodation for total 13 nights sharing twin room on bed and breakfast basis.
- Local Guides in all the cities.
- Entrances at the monuments as per the program
- All presently applicable taxes including service tax
- Welcome gift with your compliments
- Adequate mineral water in the vehicle during travel

Not Included

- Any services other than the ones mentioned above
- Any visa charges & Airport taxes
- Any still camera or video camera fees.
- Any airfare
- Any tips to drive/guide/escort/restaurants etc.
- Any extras like table drinks, telephone calls, any tips, laundry etc or any other items of personal nature